Anticipation Guide

Animal Farm

George Orwell

Anticipation Guide

Rate each of the following statements before you read the novel, and discuss your ratings with a partner. After you have completed the novel, rate and discuss the statements again. (10 points)

1 ------2 ------3 ------4 ------5 ------6

strongly agree strongly disagree

Before After

1. All humans are equal. ______

2. Usually the best and brightest people are ______

leaders.

3. Some people are smarter than others. ______

4. People who cannot read are easier to ______

control than those who can read.

5. People are always free to make their own ______

choices.

6. The government usually does what is best ______

for the most people.

7. You should always believe everything you’re ______

told.

8. Power corrupts those who have it. ______

9. People always have the ability to make ______

their own choices.

10. You should never question those with ______

power or authority.
Before you begin reading Animal Farm, read the questions below and write a short answer to each. Use complete sentences for your answers! (15 points)

1. What freedoms do we take for granted in the United States?

2. Do you think we have too much freedom?

3. What freedoms do you think we don’t need in the United States? Which ones would you be willing to give up if you had to?

Study Guide

Chapters 1-2

1. What human characteristics (other than speech) has Orwell given to:

Old Major

Boxer

Mollie

Benjamin

Snowball

Napoleon

2. Why was Old Major so respected?

3. What noble ideals are set forth in his dream?

4. Why are the animals so excited about singing “Beasts of England”?

5. Why were the pigs immediately accepted as leaders?

6. What was their motive for rebellion?

7. Who formulated the Seven Commandments? Was it done in a democratic way?

8. How well do the commandments reflect the ideas expressed in Old Major’s speech?

Journal Response – Chapters 1-2

The following questions should be answered on a separate piece of paper. These questions will not have right or wrong answers, but will require you to think and formulate a well-written answer. Each question should be answered in at least one full paragraph. You will need to use examples from the book to support your answers.

1. Describe life on the farm for the animals. How is this type of life similar to that led by farm laborers who work on someone else’s land?

2. To what does Old Major point to show that there are opportunities for the animals to run the farm on their own?

3. The pigs take over running the farm. Why does this seem natural?

4. What problems does the raven, Moses, cause?

5. Describe the behavior of the pigs, and what it might foreshadow.

Chapter 3

1. Did the pigs help the other animals work on the harvest? What did they do?

2. Who did the animals admire the most?

3. What became his slogan?

4. Which two animals were not considered by the other animals to be good workers?

5. Which animal’s character didn’t seem to change at all after the rebellion?

6. What three things happened on Sundays?

7. What did the Animal Farm flag look like?

8. At the meetings, who never seemed to agree?

9. Who formed the animals into committees?

10. How literate were the animals? Why would literacy be an issue?

11. Who declared that the Seven Commandments could be condensed into one? What was this one maxim? Which animals would repeat this for hours?

12. Who too Jessie’s and Bluebell’s pups to “educate” them?

13. What had happened to the missing milk? The apples? What was Squealer’s explanation?

14. What, according to Squealer, would happen if the pigs failed in their duties?

15. How does the disappearance of the milk and apples foreshadow future events?

16. How are the animals better off after the Rebellion?

17. How are they worse off?

Journal Response – Chapter 3

1. Is there anything significant about Napoleon’s taking away the puppies?

2. Give some examples of the pigs’ clever use of language to gain their own needs. How do the other animals respond to each? You should give at least three examples.

3. Did the work on the farm conform to the ideal of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need”? Why or why not?

Chapter 4

1. How was word sent to animals on neighboring farms?

2. Name and describe the neighbors on either side of the farm.

3. How did rebelliousness show itself on other farms?

4. Early in October, Jones and men from Foxwood and Pinchfield attempted to take over Animal Farm. Who warned the animals?

5. Who has been studying Julius Caesar’s campaign strategies? What was he in charge of?

6. Describe the Battle of the Cowshed.

7. Who said, “The only good human is a dead one”?

8. Who is discovered missing? Where was she found?

9. What military decorations were created? Who received them?

10. What are the anniversary dates of the Rebellion and the Battle of the Cowshed?

Journal Response – Chapter 4

1. Where was Mollie during the Battle of the Cowshed? How does this support what you already know about her character, and what does it foreshadow?

2. Describe Snowball’s actions and Napoleon’s actions during the Battle. What does this tell you about each of them, and what might happen next as a result?

3. Describe the two rituals (traditions) that the animals used to celebrate their victory. What is ironic about their adoption of these rituals?

Chapter 5

1. What did Mollie do wrong? Where did she finally go?

2. Describe the violent debates that began to take place between snowball and Napoleon.

3. What did Napoleon train the sheep to do with “Four legs good, two legs bad”?

4. Describe the controversy over the windmill. Why would the animals be in favor of it? Who was against it and why? Who didn’t take a side on it?

5. How did Napoleon ruin Snowball’s plans?

6. When Napoleon and Snowball disagreed on defense tactics, with whom did the animals agree?

7. What happened just as Snowball had the animals agreeing with him?

8. Where had the nine dogs come from?

9. What happened to Sunday meetings and debates?

10. Why was Squealer sent around to explain the new setup?

11. How did the animals react?

12. What is Boxer’s new slogan?

13. To what did the animals now have to show reverence?

14. Why is it important that Napoleon, Squealer, and Minimus now sit above the other animals?

15. What do the animals learn three weeks later?

16. Why does Napoleon say he pretended to be against the windmill?

17. Who helped Squealer persuade the animals that Napoleon was right?

Journal Response – Chapter 5

1. What does Mollie lose by her actions? What does this tell you about materialism?

2. After Snowball’s expulsion, Squealer makes a statement about Snowball’s heroism in battle. What does he say to the animals, and what does this foreshadow? What is important about this event?

Chapter 6

1. In August, Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sundays. It would be strictly voluntary, but what would happen if the animals didn’t work?

2. The animals were working like slaves on the windmill, yet they were happy. Why?

3. What was the main problem with building the windmill, and how was it solved?

4. How did Boxer lend extra help with the windmill?

5. Everything was operating smoothly until the animals discovered shortages of what?

6. What new policy did Napoleon announce regarding obtaining articles the farm needed?

7. What things might have to be sold in order to buy things for the windmill?

8. How would the dealings with humans be accomplished? What is a broker?

9. Describe Mr. Whymper.

10. Who set the record straight that the animals had never passed a rule against dealing with humans?

11. Why are the humans now calling the farm by its new name?

12. What rumors are circulating about Napoleon and his business agreements?

13. The pigs move where? Why is this important?

14. How did Squealer manipulate the language of the Fourth Commandment?

15. Why do the pigs get up an hour later now?

16. What happened to the windmill when it was half built?

17. Who is being blamed for what happened to the windmill?

Journal Response – Chapter 6

1. Why is the phrase, “even the pigs joined in at critical moments” important?

2. How do the pigs get away with the changes in their living arrangements? How does this affect the other animals?

Chapter 7

1. Why is the windmill rebuilt with walls three feet thick?

2. Who never loses heart in spite of worsening conditions?

3. Food falls short in January and starvation seems near, but it is important to whom not to let the outside world know?

4. What tricks are used to fool Mr. Whymper?

5. Give some examples of how Napoleon is becoming a dictator.

6. The chickens must surrender their eggs now. While their rebellion takes place, nine hens die. What are the other animals told about the nine hens?

7. Where is Snowball said to be living now?

8. What tactics does Napoleon use when negotiating the sale of the pile of lumber?

9. What animals disagreed with the explanation that Snowball was Jones’ secret agent from the very beginning?

10. What explanation does Boxer accept?

11. What is Boxer’s answer to the slaughter of other animals?

12. Give an example of Clover’s blind acceptance.

13. What explanation is given for banning “Beasts of England”? What replaced it?

14. What always drowned out any animals who protested?

Journal Response – Chapter 7

1. Even Boxer does not believe that Snowball was always a traitor. Why is his saying so a dangerous move? What clues are given in the text?

2. Describe the executions and confessions. How are these new events affecting the workers on the farm?

Chapter 8

1. What is the significance of the poem about Napoleon?

2. How has the Sixth Commandment been changed?

3. What is important about the rumor of Mr. Frederick’s cruelty to his animals?

4. What is the slogan of the pigeons now?

5. What else is Snowball being blamed for?

6. Why is it ironic that the windmill is named after Napoleon?

7. Why is a death sentence decreed upon Frederick?

8. Describe the Battle of the Windmill in order of events.

9. What is ironic about their victory celebration?

10. What is the result of the pigs’ discovery of whiskey?

11. What will the retirees’ pasture now be used for?

12. Why is Squealer out at midnight with a ladder and paint brush?

Journal Response – Chapter 8

1. Why did no one “care to mention” recalling a commandment about animals killing other animals in the hearing of the pigs or the dogs? What does this say about the workers’ state of mind?

2. Describe the battle with Frederick’s men and explain how the animals felt immediately after the destruction of the windmill. How did the pigs renew the animals’ spirits?